Fighting Back
The Worm Has Turned
For those who have never taken a self-defense course
or a rape prevention seminar, there is an oddity
that my husband and I have found when teaching
women. They often don’t know how to say, “NO!”
I am not speaking about the "no" a mother often tells
her child or the “she says no but means yes”
mentality but a simple, forceful "NO!" If some
staggering, drunken fool with an inflated ego
approaches a woman minding her own business
sipping a drink in a bar and starts hitting on
her, the woman who says no to such men are often
considered a “bitch” right from the start. Being
self-assured is often considered unfeminine while
men on the other hand are considered strong.
Meekness in a woman is called sweet-tempered while
a man is called a wimp.
It is my belief that women are programmed from
childhood that saying NO is an appalling thing for
any female to do. We are taught never to say no to
our parents, friends, employers, teachers or men
We want to take it for granted children are safe at
home, school and church. Unfortunately the
statistics for child abuse show they are NOT safe
in these places.
Seventy-five percent of child sexual abuse is
committed by those known to the victim. Usually a
family member or friend.
Incidences such as the Columbine High School shooting
or the Fenton, Pennsylvania Elementary attack
where a 55 year old man walked into a classroom
with a machette and began attacking teachers and
children, teaches us the schools aren't safe.
More on this incident can be found in
Susan Maree Jeavons article
Children In An Uncivilized Society
Women aren't the only ones who need to be able to
say "No!" All too often children are called to
task or forced to hug or kiss "Uncle Cecil"
or "Aunt Ophelia" when the child doesn't want to.
What so many parents don’t realize that in taking
away the child's right to say no, they are
empowering all the wrong types of people.
This forcing of unwanted touch gives power to
abusers and teaches children to be victims.
Tenna Perry startles parents at the idea that they should
Teach The Children To Say No
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